New Year, New Flat, New Town.

I know it's a week or so late, but Happy New Year! There has been a lot to do the last month, with moving flat before Christmas, getting used to living in a new place (High Wycombe), going away for Christmas and again for new year and Ivonne starting new job.

 This weekend is the first one for a while that almost feels normal, although I think it will be a few months before things feel really normal. I am still crashing into things in the flat all the time as I have not got used to the space, I keep forgetting which way I need to walk to various places and its hard to get used to all the new noises at night.

I have had a little time to wander around the local area, a lovely park area nearby called the Rye, which has a nice lake and wooded area. Squirrels are everywhere at the moment!

 

 Also a nice park and wooded area just behind the flat, and although it is a very steep walk to get up to there are great views from the top.

 

Also a great location for Red Kite spotting!

 

On the way back saw this odd cloud/rainbow thing... the pictures don't do it justice but it looked very strange.

 

Favourite Podcasts 24 - The Life Scientific

I love science, but am often confused by the details of theories and the technical side. What I always like though is the real lives of the people who do science, the accidental discoveries, the rivalries, and the interesting stories that surround particular areas of science.

That is why I have really enjoyed listening to BBC Radio 4's podcasts The Life Scientific, where Jim al-Khalili chats to a leading scientist about their life and work.

Past guests have included Paul Nurse, Jocelyn Bell-Burnell and Colin Pillinger, but the two I have really found interesting were Steven Pinker talking about his studies into language, and reflecting on some of the controversies he has caused, and also Robert Winston on his work on fertility (this podcast has oddly vanished, despite being on only being a few weeks ago).

I really hope this podcast continues and the BBC don't stop it (like they recently did with the excellent Home Planet) , as I think it is up there with In Our Time as the most interesting show and podcast they have done for years.

Download a selection of episodes here at the BBC podcast site.